Crews clear overnight snow, snow emergency declared

3 to 4 inches falls in Madison

A snowstorm left nearly five inches of snow in the Madison area Tuesday and early Wednesday and higher amounts accumulated to the south.

Many schools in southern Wisconsin were closed or delayed Wednesday.

As of 6 a.m., Madison plow crews said 30 trucks were added to keep main streets open. City officials predicted a slow morning commute and said streets will remain snow covered and slippery until the snow comes to an end.

The city plans to begin plowing residential streets using contractors as soon as the snow stops.

Large item collection was suspended Wednesday because of the snow. It will resume Thursday, according to city officials.

The storm that paralyzed parts of the nation's midsection has dumped 14 inches in places like Sheboygan County and six inches in Racine County.

WISC-TV meteorologist GaryCannalte said Wednesday will be mostly cloudy and windy with light snow or flurries; minor additional accumulations of around 1 inch are possible Wednesday. Winds will stay gusty out of the north on Wednesday with highs in the lower to middle 30s, he said.

Heavy, wet snow caused tree branches to snap, brought down power lines and made it tough for snow plows and utility crews to keep up in Kansas City, where the storm delivered a more direct hit.

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